Zambales: The Philippine Navy (PN) has announced the deployment of two warships to monitor and escort a Chinese frigate, which was identified "loitering" approximately 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island, Zambales, on December 17.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PN's Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) dispatched the offshore patrol vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) and the guided missile frigate BRP Diego Silang following reports from local maritime community members. They had spotted the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Jiangkai II (Type 054A) frigate, which bore the bow number 569.

Upon receiving the report, BRP Emilio Jacinto, operating under Naval Task Force 11 of NLNC, was immediately deployed to conduct maritime patrol operations to verify the information. The patrol confirmed the presence of the Jiangkai II frigate within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

To bolster the operation and ensure the effective enforcement of the Philippines' maritime rights, the PN subsequently deployed BRP Diego Silang. Throughout the encounter, the two PN ships maintained a professional and measured posture while firmly asserting the nation's sovereign rights.

Repeated radio challenges were issued by the PN, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and highlighting that the PLAN warship had been loitering within the Philippines' EEZ without clarifying its intention and purpose. The foreign warship is currently being escorted in a controlled and non-escalatory manner.

The PN stated that the deployment was in line with NLNC's mandate to safeguard the country's maritime interests, enhance maritime domain awareness, and uphold Philippine sovereignty. Continuous monitoring and coordination were undertaken to ensure the safety of maritime traffic and coastal communities within the area of operations. Such actions are part of routine maritime security operations aimed at protecting national security and territorial integrity.